General Impressions

The arcade in Bailu, imo, is unnecessary. You even win tickets to use in Niaowu; it pretty much serves no purpose in BAILU. Had the arcades and games been fresher in Niaowu, I would have appreciated those arcades more. I also still don’t get the logic behind putting the prize redemption areas for gambling in a different part of town/inside the arcade.
 
...There's no purpose to have a two smaller machines and the seminal classic QTEs...? They're just minigames ffs. Without arcades or gambling at all, then the entire section would be even more thin. Imagine how much worse the disdain and negativity toward being "too short" of a game.
 
An arcade doesn’t fit an area and it’s pretty much the same selection of games you find two more times in the next area. You also win prizes you can only redeem in Niaowu, which is a bit odd as well. No it doesn’t ruin the game and yo ur e right they’re only mini games. Just a thing that stood out to me.

on the other hand, not sure I find stuffing Bailu with distractions to hide the lack of actual content a compelling reason to include said distractions.
 
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I personally felt that the arcade in Bailu was appropriate in terms of the selection of mechanical arcade games wich made sense for the location.
It gave the same feeling that we get when we visit a more remote location that always has some type of outdated arcade machines at the local Café or small recreational club.
The gambling area near the Tao Get Shop
Is fine but could have made more sense in a more central area of the village but this is just another small "nitpick" from my part.
Niaowu also felt right in terms of having more modern arcade games; the only problem is that it had gambling at almost every corner but not enough variety to justify it.
 
I think Bailu would've been fine with capsule toys only, but I didn't really mind that the arcade was there. I barely play arcade games in any of the Shenmues -- I tend to play each game once, except from darts which I do return to -- and I reckon I entered the Bailu arcade twice, maybe three times, so it really doesn't affect me.

Same goes for gambling. It's basically a last-resort for me, so I wasn't spending multiple days running between Joy Park and the Panda Market, but when I did it honestly didn't bother me.

I didn't feel like there was a lack of content in Bailu, with fishing, herb collecting, the dojo, training, chopping, etc. If anything there was more "stuff" to do in Bailu than most of the areas in the original games. If you really like filling time with Space Harrier and OutRun then I can see how the old games may feel like they have more to do, but that's never been me. I'd honestly rather just look around the environments and talk to people 90% of the time.
 
I would prefer if the game was only Bailu and then we could buy the next 2 chapters.
This would gathered more funds and the game would be better.
Bailu seemed too big would prefer if it was smaller and had a more "familiar atmosphere.
 
Same, I almost never play the games and the gambling only when necessary. I think the more mechanical games in Bailu were a plus. Although since Bailu is supposed to be not very modern I would have preferred if they hadn't any electronic games at all and keep it more 'pure'.

But what about getting water from the well, care for the animals, plant vegetables, preparing and really eating a meal in the evening?
Missed opportunity right there.

I also wish they could have expanded the surroundings of Bailu with the magic maze including lake of the lantern bugs, so basically disc 4 to explore.

The lore about Ryos father, backstory etc.,, the prophecy should have been expanded. And it's imo not good enough for the mirrors just to be a key/treasure map in the literal sense. I hope this gets expanded with added mysteries, supernatural,metaphysics stuff. You know, all the dreams the prophecies for a normal treasure hunt...? That would be underwhelming.
 
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Ryo2040 said:
Same, I almost never play the games and the gambling only when necessary. I think the more mechanical games in Bailu were a plus. Although since Bailu is supposed to be not very modern I would have preferred if they hadn't any electronic games at all and keep it more 'pure'.

But what about getting water from the well, care for the animals, plant vegetables, preparing and really eating a meal in the evening?
Missed opportunity right there.

I also wish they could have expanded the surroundings of Bailu with the magic maze including lake of the lantern bugs, so basically disc 4 to explore.

The lore about Ryos father, backstory etc.,, the prophecy should have been expanded. And it's imo not good enough for the mirrors just to be a key/treasure map in the literal sense. I hope this gets expanded with added mysteries, supernatural,metaphysics stuff. You know, all the dreams the prophecies for a normal treasure hunt...? That would be underwhelming.
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Totally agree.(y)
 
Ryo2040 said:
I also wish they could have expanded the surroundings of Bailu with the magic maze including lake of the lantern bugs, so basically disc 4 to explore.
Click to expand...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the magic maze tier was reached in the Kickstarter.
 
No it wasn't. But the budget beeing 20 million in the end they could have done it imo, even now as DLC I would buy it. Same with original Shenhua costume.
 
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orient said:
I think Bailu would've been fine with capsule toys only, but I didn't really mind that the arcade was there. I barely play arcade games in any of the Shenmues -- I tend to play each game once, except from darts which I do return to -- and I reckon I entered the Bailu arcade twice, maybe three times, so it really doesn't affect me.

Same goes for gambling. It's basically a last-resort for me, so I wasn't spending multiple days running between Joy Park and the Panda Market, but when I did it honestly didn't bother me.

I didn't feel like there was a lack of content in Bailu, with fishing, herb collecting, the dojo, training, chopping, etc. If anything there was more "stuff" to do in Bailu than most of the areas in the original games. If you really like filling time with Space Harrier and OutRun then I can see how the old games may feel like they have more to do, but that's never been me. I'd honestly rather just look around the environments and talk to people 90% of the time.
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I don't want to make it sound like it ruins the game or anything. I just thought they might've saved the additional mini games for a new area to make the new area seem a little more exciting. Those same mechanical games are in the two Niawou arcades (to the best of my memory), and they're not really games that make me wanna play over and over again once I've mastered them.

What does kind of detract is the low variety of gambling games. The Golden Goose casino just has the same games you can find on the streets of Bailu. Ho-hum.
 
Ryo2040 said:
No it wasn't. But the budget beeing 20 million in the end they could have done it imo, even now as DLC I would buy it. Same with original Shenhua costume.
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Budget gets eaten up really quickly. There was quite a bit omitted from the final game as it is. If they didn't have time for something as vital as Baisha, then I imagine they wouldn't have had time to add something like a magic maze, as cool as it would have been.
I would have totally copped the OG Shenhua costume too though.
 
Ryo2040 said:
The lore about Ryos father, backstory etc.,, the prophecy should have been expanded. And it's imo not good enough for the mirrors just to be a key/treasure map in the literal sense.
Click to expand...
I agree that the information surrounding Iwao's time in Bailu was pretty thin, and was almost a backdrop to the Verdent bridge stuff. However, it's pretty clear that it was always meant to be that way, and the truth about Iwao and Zhao is meant for later on. I thought what we did get was pretty cool, nonetheless. I also think the mirrors won't just be a literal key. There's a floating orb on that manuscript, and a lot we don't know.
 
Hi Guys,

I finished Shenmue 3 for the first time 10 days ago, I took my time to fully experience the game.
So I want to share my thought about this game with you.

I think Shenmue 3 is a really really good game.
it is for me quite easily my favortite game of this generation.
It is not the best game of this generation (Zelda BOTW, or TW3 are better), but it is my favorite :)

My first playtrhought took me a long time, I finished the game the 15th may in the game calendar, and i havn't seen everything in the game (i didn't finish the rose garden, i didn't unlock the arcarde with the forklif ect ....)
I enjoy the stamina system (even if i think i am the only one) and i really enjoy the fighting system.
I Really think Shenmue 3 is a relly good Shenmue game, andI I asked myself if Shenmue 3 is not the best Shenmue game :)


But in the end I don't think it is the best in the serie.
For me the secondary character are not as impactful as they are in the first 2 games (no new ren, or a new tom, or a new fang mei ect).
And some little action miss me, like the scene where Ryo catch the ball of the kid in shenmue I.
And it is a minor problem but the timing of the QTE are way too short :D

In the end Shenmue 3, I really enjoy me time with Shenmue 3, it is way better than everything that I hope :)
i will replay this game in few month with pleasure, and I can't wait to see what Yu Suzuki and his team will do with Shenmue IV :)
 
Tortu-genial said:
I think Shenmue 3 is a really really good game.
it is for me quite easily my favortite game of this generation.
I enjoy the stamina system (even if i think i am the only one) and i really enjoy the fighting system.
I Really think Shenmue 3 is a relly good Shenmue game, andI I asked myself if Shenmue 3 is not the best Shenmue game :)
But in the end I don't think it is the best in the serie.
In the end Shenmue 3, I really enjoy me time with Shenmue 3, it is way better than everything that I hope :)
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I agree completely with each of these statements. Glad to see more people taking their time with the game, and enjoying it. (y)
 
I had to force by way through Shenmue 3 . I couldn't stand the fact that I had to eat food and that I was forced to train so often. I hated the fact that your health went down if you ran in the game world. . Why didn't they just make the game like the first 2? It's almost like they was trying to annoy us. The first 2 had fun gameplay and awesome storytelling but this one didn't. Am I the only one upset and annoyed with this game? I just don't understand what was going through their heads when they thought of this stuff. For an example the village at the beginning of the game had a ridiculous amount of mini games. Why would there be mini games and arcades in the mountains of China! ? It's not realistic at all and it makes no sense. This felt rushed and it wasn't thought out at all. It breaks my heart to say this but I'm not looking forward to shenmue 4 and I doubt people are going to donate to get it made.

All I wanted was a game like the first 2. It could of had dreamcast graphics for all I cared. I just wanted a good game but I got something annoying instead . Just my opinion....
 
Merged into General Impressions, carry on the discussion here :)
 
I think on reflection I like it more. I was always on the “like it“ side but I think I’ve come to like it even more warts and all.

One thought came to mind during this current playthrough I’m doing.

I kind of wish there was no arcade or capsule machines in Bailu. I kind of wish they’d saved that stuff for Chobu. I kind of really wish Bailu was this rustic little village that had none of the stuff we associate with Shenmue.

Imagine how much more of an impact it would have had to eventually come into contact with that stuff in Chobu. It would have gave both locales a distinct flavour. Bailu would have been all about outdoors type stuff. Picking herbs, chopping wood, fishing and such while Chobu could have been the home to all the usual Shenmue affair (capsule toys, arcade machines and forklifts). I think it would have helped to give both locales their own flavour. But alas, fan service won out. I don’t mind the Bailu Arcade, I just kind of wish they saved it as something exclusive to Chobu.

If I have one complaint against Chobu it’s that I feel it lacks a certain personality or character.

if you look at the previous games, the locales themselves are kind of a character.

Dobuita and Yokosuka is your hometown and has a homely comfortable feel to it.

Hong Kong has a certain mystique to it thanks to Xiuyings presence. It feels overwhelming to step into Hong Kong coming from that small suburban feel you came from. It’s hustle and bustle.

Kowloon has a certain air of danger to it and feels claustrophobic.

Bailu is Dobuita redux but this time seen through Shenhua’s perspective. It’s familiar but also different enough.

Chobu is the one I’m having trouble finding a reason for though. At best it feels like Hong Kong redux but without that mystique or hustle and bustle feel that Hong Kong had.

Bailu is awesome but I still kind of wish Chobu had more of a personality. I feel like the locales in the previous games had a distinct feel and character to them. Chobu is the only one so far I feel has been kind of lacking.
 
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